Briefs: Jobs market predicted to rise, Westpac's Whitfield on Asia, Tower's new CFO in NZ, Whittaker 19 March 2015 5:20PM Banking Day staff Briefs, According to the Adecco Employment and Talent Report 2015, the major recruitment trend across Australia's banking sector is an increase in permanent recruitment. Adecco said permanent staff currently numbered around 338,000 out of a total 418,000. "As the market improves and profits continue to grow, banks are now looking to increase staff numbers, especially in areas such as personal, business banking and product management. Personnel in the mortgage market are also in greater demand due to the growth in the housing sector," the recruitment firm said. But temporary assignment numbers remain buoyant, with roles in demand including credit assessors, mortgage processors, settlements attendees and asset finance officers. Brett Wilson has been named as the new chief financial officer for Tower, a listed general insurer on the NZX. Wilson replaces Michael Boggs who resigned after spending four years with the company. Wilson previously was chief financial officer and secretary at Seniors Money International, and has worked as ASB Bank's general manager finance, as well as in a number of other senior finance roles. The Australian government released Bruce Whittaker's final report on the statutory review of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009, originally announced as part of the 2014 Autumn Repeal Day. According to a government media release, Whittaker found that the Act had "improved consistency in Australia's secured transactions" but that more work could be done. The report makes 394 recommendations for improvements to the accessibility and performance of the Act. The report also recommends a renewed focus on education. The government said it was "carefully considering" Whittaker's detailed recommendations.